Argentina kicked off their Autumn Nations Series with a commanding 52-28 victory over Wales at the Principality Stadium. The performance spotlighted some sterling displays and a few underwhelming ones among the Argentine ranks. Here's a deep dive into how each player fared in this clash.
Backs
Santiago Carreras, wearing the 15 jersey, had an almost flawless game barring an early misjudged kick. His agility and precise kicking from the tee were crucial, earning him a solid 7. Bautista Delguy, despite a shaky start, quickly turned into a nightmare for the Welsh defence, also scoring a 7. Justo Piccardo was a workhorse with a seamless ability to connect plays, deserving his 7.
The centre pairing had mixed fortunes. Santiago Chocobares, despite his towering reputation, was surprisingly peripheral, scraping a 5. In contrast, Mateo Carreras was electrifying, dodging tackles with ease and securing an 8. Geronimo Prisciantelli, at fly-half, was a revelation, dictating play and scoring twice to bag an 8. Scrum-half Simon Benitez Cruz had a turbulent game marred by erratic passes, earning a 6.
Forwards
Joaquin Oviedo was the silent enforcer at number 8, pushing forward with every carry for a score of 7. Flanker Juan Martin Gonzalez had a rollercoaster game, showcasing brilliance in one moment and clumsiness in another, resulting in a 6. Pablo Matera, ever the flamboyant player, mixed the sublime with the sloppy, nevertheless scoring a 7.
Marcos Kremer and Guido Petti, both in the second row, delivered gritty performances marked by high tackle counts, each earning a 6. Pedro Delgado at tighthead prop bulldozed his way to a try and a 7 rating. Hooker Julian Montoya was impeccable in set-pieces, rightly earning an 8, while Mayco Vivas ensured the scrum's dominance continued, also scoring a 7.
"We saw the highs and lows today, but it's essential we build on the positives,"
noted an unnamed player, capturing the team's sentiment after such a mixed outing.
Argentina's robust display against Wales sets a strong precedent for their campaign, with standout performances and areas for improvement clearly spotlighted. As the series progresses, the Pumas will look to refine their execution and consistency, drawing on the lessons from this opening fixture.
2,193 posts
Argentina kicked off their Autumn Nations Series with a commanding 52-28 victory over Wales at the Principality Stadium. The performance spotlighted some sterling displays and a few underwhelming ones among the Argentine ranks. Here's a deep dive into how each player fared in this clash.
Backs
Santiago Carreras, wearing the 15 jersey, had an almost flawless game barring an early misjudged kick. His agility and precise kicking from the tee were crucial, earning him a solid 7. Bautista Delguy, despite a shaky start, quickly turned into a nightmare for the Welsh defence, also scoring a 7. Justo Piccardo was a workhorse with a seamless ability to connect plays, deserving his 7.
The centre pairing had mixed fortunes. Santiago Chocobares, despite his towering reputation, was surprisingly peripheral, scraping a 5. In contrast, Mateo Carreras was electrifying, dodging tackles with ease and securing an 8. Geronimo Prisciantelli, at fly-half, was a revelation, dictating play and scoring twice to bag an 8. Scrum-half Simon Benitez Cruz had a turbulent game marred by erratic passes, earning a 6.
Forwards
Joaquin Oviedo was the silent enforcer at number 8, pushing forward with every carry for a score of 7. Flanker Juan Martin Gonzalez had a rollercoaster game, showcasing brilliance in one moment and clumsiness in another, resulting in a 6. Pablo Matera, ever the flamboyant player, mixed the sublime with the sloppy, nevertheless scoring a 7.
Marcos Kremer and Guido Petti, both in the second row, delivered gritty performances marked by high tackle counts, each earning a 6. Pedro Delgado at tighthead prop bulldozed his way to a try and a 7 rating. Hooker Julian Montoya was impeccable in set-pieces, rightly earning an 8, while Mayco Vivas ensured the scrum's dominance continued, also scoring a 7.
"We saw the highs and lows today, but it's essential we build on the positives,"
noted an unnamed player, capturing the team's sentiment after such a mixed outing.Argentina's robust display against Wales sets a strong precedent for their campaign, with standout performances and areas for improvement clearly spotlighted. As the series progresses, the Pumas will look to refine their execution and consistency, drawing on the lessons from this opening fixture.